Computer system with hybrid power distribution

• US 6,418,037 B1
• Filed: 08/16/2000
• Issued: 07/09/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Zhang, Michael T.
• Primary Examiner(s): HAN, YOUNGHUIE JESSICA
• Application Number:
  US09/641,419
• Time in Patent Office: 692 Days
• Field of Search: 363/15, 363/16, 363/34, 323/266, 323/267, 323/282
• US Class Current: 363/15
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/26 Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof for memories G11C

Abstract

A power supply for a computer is disclosed. The power supply is capable of providing power in both a DC domain and a high frequency AC domain. A first power consuming component can be coupled to the power supply to receive power in the DC domain, and a second power consuming component can be coupled to the power supply to receive power in the high frequency AC domain.

Claims

1. A power supply for a computer comprising:

means for providing power in a direct current (DC) domain from the power supply to a first power consuming component; and

means for providing power in a high frequency alternating current (AC) domain from the power supply to a second power consuming component;

wherein the means for providing power in a high frequency AC domain comprises;

means for converting low frequency AC power into DC power;

means for converting the DC power into high frequency AC power; and

means for providing the high frequency AC power to the second power consuming component.

2. The powersupply of claim 1 wherein the means for providing power in a DC domain distributes power at a plurality of voltages.

3. The power supply of claim 2 wherein voltages are distributed at about 3.3 volts, about 5 volts and about 12 volts.

4. The power supply of claim 1 wherein the means for providing power in a DC domain comprises:

means for converting low frequency AC power into DC power;

means for converting the DC power into high frequency AC power;

means for stepping the high frequency AC power down to a lower voltage level;

means for converting the low voltage high frequency AC power to DC power; and

means for providing the DC power to the first power consuming component.

5. A method for delivering power in a computer to a plurality of power consuming components comprising:

;

providing power in a DC domain from a power supply to a first power consuming component; and

providing power in a high frequency AC domain from the power supply to a second power consuming component;

wherein the step of providing power in the high frequency AC domain to the second power consuming component comprises;

converting low frequency AC power into DC power;

converting the DC power into high frequency AC power; and

providing the high frequency AC power to the second power consuming component.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the step of providing power in the DC domain to the first power consuming component comprises:

converting low frequency AC power into DC power;

converting the DC power into high frequency AC power;

stepping the high frequency AC power down to a lower voltage level;

converting the low voltage high frequency AC power to DC power; and

providing the DC power to the first power consuming component.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein the second power consuming component is a voltage regulator that distributes a Vcc voltage to a microprocessor.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the voltage regulator comprises:

a transformer for receiving high frequency AC power at a first voltage and stepping the high frequency AC power down to a lower voltage;

a rectifier for converting the high frequency AC power to a DC domain; and

an output port for providing the DC power to the microprocessor.